Dear Editor: Community members are invited to participate in a New Year’s Day vigil to commemorate the second anniversary of Sitka’s weekly peace and democracy vigil, Thursday, January 1, noon to 1 p.m., at the roundabout.
Originally convened to advocate for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, Sitka’s weekly vigil grew in size and scope following the 2024 election to resist acts by the Trump administration that profoundly threaten people and democratic principles we hold dear. Although we show up for many different reasons, we stand for the same cause: to advocate for government that puts people and democracy first.
2025 was a very difficult, unsettled, and unsettling year for those of us who love American democracy. But we also recognize 2025 as a year when people woke up, stepped up, and fought for our democracy, our planet, and one another.
In this spirit, and with the hopefulness that comes with the advent of a new year, the theme of the New Year’s Day vigil will be: We will continue to stand here until.... We invite people to bring signs that share your vision of the more just, compassionate, and democratic future you want for yourself, your fellow humans, and for future generations—e.g., …we have universal health care. …immigrants are welcome here. …we have lasting peace and justice for Palestine. …constitutional rule is fully restored. …ICE is dismantled. …billionaires pay taxes. …the U.S. rejoins the world community.
If you are unable to participate in the New Year’s Day vigil, please join us whenever you can! We gather every Saturday, noon to 1, at the roundabout. Courage is contagious. Just showing up and being there is important and makes us stronger.
Donna Donohoe, Cindy Litman, and Don Muller, for
Sitkans for Peace and Democracy
